Magnetic self-latching electric contact

Abstract

A contactor device includes a magnetic latch apparatus to reduce bounce between contact pads on closing. The magnetic latch apparatus includes a first magnet assembly and a second magnet assembly disposed so as to magnetically latch the first contact pad and second contact pad in the closed position. The first and second magnet assemblies typically are disposed respectively on the first contact pad carrier and second contact pad carrier such that the distance between the first and second magnet assemblies corresponds to the distance between the first and second contact pads. The magnet assemblies have a latch element that is a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a magnetically attracted material. A method of securing together a first and a second contact pad in a contactor device in accordance with this invention includes the step of disposing a first magnet assembly in a latch position with respect to a second magnet assembly in correspondence with the positioning of the first contact pad in a closed position with respect to the second contact pad and magnetically latching the first and second magnet assemblies together so as to maintain the first and second contact pads in the closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnetic self-latching contactor device having reduced bounce between contact pads upon closing, the contactor device comprising: a first contact pad disposed on a first pad carrier,   a second contact pad disposed on a second pad carrier, at least one of said first and second pad carriers being coupled to a contact pad actuating mechanism so as to move in response to a force supplied by said actuating mechanism, said first and second contact pads being movably disposed with respect to the other such that said first and second contact pads are selectively disposed in either a closed position such that both of said contact pads are in physical contact so that electrical current flows between the pads, or in an open position in which said first and second contact pads are physically separated from one another; and   a magnetic latch apparatus having a first magnet assembly and a second magnet assembly disposed so as to magnetically latch said first contact pad and said second contact pad in said closed position, the latching effect of said magnetic latch apparatus being independent from force exerted by said contact pad actuating mechanism;   each of said first and second magnet assemblies comprising a respective assembly latch element that is selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets, electromagnets, and magnetically attracted material.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first magnet assembly is disposed on said first pad carrier and said second magnet assembly is disposed on said second pad carrier. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said first and second magnet assemblies are respectively disposed on said first and second pad carriers such that the distance between said first and second magnet assemblies corresponds to the distance between said first and second contact pads. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second latch assemblies comprises a line-current supplied electromagnet, said line-current supplied electromagnet being coupled to shunt electrical current between said first contact pad and said second contact pad when current is passing between said first and second contact pads. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4 wherein said line-current supplied electromagnet comprises an electromagnet coil that is electrically coupled to one respective contact pad, said electromagnet coil being disposed in a spaced relation with respect to said respective contact pad. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 4 wherein said line-current supplied electromagnet comprises an electromagnet coil that is electrically coupled to one respective contact pad, said electromagnet coil being integrally disposed with said respective contact pad. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 6 wherein said electromagnet coil integrally disposed with said respective contact pad comprises a coil segment disposed around said contact pad, said coil having a first end and a second end, said first end of said coil segment being electrically coupled to said contact pad and said second end of said coil segment being electrically coupled to an electrical common contact such that a portion of current flowing through said respective contact pad is shunted through said coil segment so as to energize said coil segment as said electromagnet coil. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 4 further comprising a shunt current control device that is adapted to govern the amount of electrical current that is shunted from said contact pad to said line-current supplied electromagnet. 
     
     
       9. A method of securing together a first contact pad and a second contact pad in a contactor device together so as to reduce bouncing between contact pads on closure of the contactor by action of a contact pad actuating mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: disposing a first magnet assembly in a latch position with respect to a second magnet assembly in correspondence with the positioning of said first contact pad in a closed position with said second contact pad; and   magnetically latching said first and second magnet assemblies together so as to hold said first contact pad in said closed position with respect to said second contact pad, the latching effect of said magnetic latch apparatus being independent from force exerted by said contact pad actuating mechanism.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and second magnet assemblies each comprise an assembly latch element that is selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets, electromagnets, and magnetically attracted material. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of magnetically latching further comprises the step of energizing an electromagnet to generate a magnetic field so as to latch said first and second magnet assemblies together. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of energizing said electromagnet further comprises shunting a portion of the electrical current passing through said first and second contacts into said electromagnet.